This day in history - Dec. 20

Today is Thursday, Dec. 20, the 355th day of 2012. There are 11 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:

On Dec. 20, 1812, German authors Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published the first volume of the first edition of their collection of folk stories, titled “Children’s and Household Tales.”

On this date:

•In 1790, the first successful cotton mill in the United States began operating at Pawtucket, R.I.

•In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was completed as ownership of the territory was formally transferred from France to the United States.

•In 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union as all 169 delegates to a special convention in Charleston voted in favor of separation.

•In 1864, Confederate forces evacuated Savannah, Ga., as Union Gen. William T. Sherman continued his “March to the Sea.”

•In 1945, the Office of Price Administration announced the end of tire rationing, effective Jan. 1, 1946.

•In 1972, the Neil Simon play “The Sunshine Boys” opened on Broadway.

•In 1978, former White House chief of staff H.R. Haldeman was released from prison after serving 18 months for his role in the Watergate cover-up.

Ten years ago: Trent Lott resigned as Senate Republican leader two weeks after igniting a political firestorm with racially charged remarks. Ted Williams’ eldest daughter, Bobby-Jo Williams Ferrell, dropped her objections to her siblings’ decision to have the Hall of Famer’s body frozen at a cryonics lab in Arizona.

Five years ago: Police used chemical spray and stun guns on protesters outside a New Orleans City Council meeting where members unanimously supported demolition of 4,500 public housing units for redevelopment.

One year ago: Lori Berenson, an American paroled after 15 years behind bars in Peru for aiding leftist guerrillas, arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport for her first visit home since her arrest in 1995; after a 17-day visit, Berenson returned to Peru to serve out the rest of her parole. LSU’s Les Miles was selected The Associated Press college football coach of the year.